Building unit



P. J. MAUL BUILDING UNIT Filed Sept. 3, 1955 HIJE.KC

- INVENTOR PETER MAUL ATTORNEY s Patented May 26, I936 UNlTED STATES 2,041,942: BUILDING UNIT Peter J. Maul, Detroit, Micl1., assignor to Macotta Unit Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Maryland Application September 3, 19%, Serial it). 39,056

' .6 Claims. (ems-e6?) V The invention relates to building units of that type in which a body of concrete or other suitable material is provided with an ornamental facing securely anchored to the body and forming the 5 exposed surface thereof. It is usual toform such units of the desired dimensions according to the position they are to occupy in the building and to secure the facing to the body by moldings extending along their marginal edges. These moldl ings in addition to forming the securing means protect the edges of the facings and form a division between the same and the adjacent portion of the building, as well as forming an ornamental feature. The present invention has more par- 15 ticular reference to a construction of the type in which there are a plurality of adjacent exposed faces arranged in angular relation to each other, and the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

20 In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the unit showing adjacent ornamental facings in angular relation to each other, together with means for securing the same to the body;

25 Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the corner molding;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof.

As illustrated, A is the body formed of concrete or other suitable material. B is an ornamental facing for one surface of the body and 30 C is a corresponding facing for an adjacent surface which as shown is at right angles to the surface B. To secure these facings to the body and also to form a finish between the adjacent edges thereof, I have constructed a molding D which is 35 integral with an anchor strip E. Preferably these parts are formed of a sheet metal strip, the outer edge of which is bent at an acute angle as indicated at F. It is then return bent to form a parallel portion G and is again bent to form an 40 angle flange H. As shown, the flanges F and H are at right angles to each other and each at substantially 45 to the anchor strip E. Thus where this strip is imbedded in the corner portion of the body A, the flanges F and 1-1 will overlap 45 the panels B and C and secure the same to the body.

The usual method 'of constructing such a unit is to place the anchor moldings and panels in a suitable mold which is then filled with the plastic 50 cement. This will lie adjacent to the inner surface of the facings, and will also flow around and imbed the anchor strip. It is desirable, however,

to insure that the facings and the moldings should be held in proper position during this 55 operation so that when the cement has hardened,

the parts will be in the desired relation. This I have-accomplished by striking out'from the strip E flange portions I and I alternately extending on opposite sides of the strip and each so positioned as to contact with the inner surface of the 5 facing member. These flanges will thus hold the facings in firm contact with the flanges F and H of the molding when these parts are positioned in the mold and during the operation of forming the cement body. Furthermore the apertures J which are formed by the striking out of the flanges I and I, permit the cement to flow therethrough and produce an additional anchorage therefor. The strip E may also be provided with an angle flange K forming a further securing means therefor.

Any suitable material may be used for the facings such as enameled metal, stainless steel or other non-corrodible metals. The molding D and strips E are also preferably formed of stainless steel, so that exposure to the weather will not injure the same.

Where the facings are coated with porcelain enamel, this will not extend over the edges of the metal which consequently is not weatherproofed. However, these portions are completely concealed by the molding D and therefore they may be protected by coating with any suitable material which will prevent corrosion.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A building unit comprising a body member,

a plurality of facings for adjacent surfaces of said body arranged in angular relation to each other, and securing means for said facings comprising a molding arranged between and overlapping the adjacent edges thereof, and an anchor strip for said molding extending inward between adjacent edges of the facings and imbedded in the body.

2. A building unit comprising a body formed 4 of cementitious material, facings for adjacent surfaces of said body arranged in angular relation to each other, a molding strip arranged between and overlapping the adjacent edges of said facings and anchor strip extending inward from said molding strip between the adjacent edges of said facings and imbedded in the plastic body and lateral projections from said anchor strip contacting the inner surfaces of said facings to hold the same in fixed relation to said molding.

3. A building unit comprising a body member,

a plurality of facings for adjacent surfaces of said body arranged in angular relation to each other and a combined finishing and anchor unit for said facings comprising a strip having a return bent flange at one edge thereof in acute angular relation thereto on one side thereof and a flange extending from the return bent portion upon the opposite side of said strip, the flanges upon opposite sides respectively engaging the edge portions of the facings and the strip extending inward between said facings and imbedded in said body.

4. A building unit comprising a body member, a plurality of facings for adjacent surfaces of said body arranged in angular relation to each other, and a combined finish and anchor means for said facings comprising a strip having a re.- turn bent flange extending to one side from one edge thereof and a flange extending from the return bend upon the opposite side of said strip and struck-out portions from said strip, said flanges respectively engaging the edge portions of said facings and oppositely struck-out flanges on said strip for respectively engaging the inner surfaces of said facings.

5. A building unit comprising a body member, a plurality of facings for adjacent surfaces of said body arranged in angular relation to each other, said facings being formed of metal having a porcelain enamel finish on the outer surface thereof and having their edges coated with weatherproofing metal, and a combined finish and anchor means for said facings comprising a molding arranged between and overlapping the a acent edges of the facings and an anchor strip for said molding extended inward between adjacent edges of the facings and imbedded in the 

